Michigan rock band The Hounds Below set out on their first West Coast trip on the Pizza Tour 2014, which will be taking over the Soda Bar in San Diego on February 3rd. We spoke with front man Jason Stollsteimer about the tour, what the future holds and about pizza. Check it out!
In 2009 while still writing, recording and touring with his (at the time) main band The Von Bondies, Jason Stollsteimer found himself wanting to create a new sound, one that tells more of a musical story with a less in-your-face approach, while still delivering an explosive emotional charge. Since The Von Bondies have now split, a new rock ‘n roll monster has risen from the ashes in the form of The Hounds Below.
The Hounds Below are Jason Stollsteimer, Adam Michael Lee Padden and Will A. Shattuck. The band released their debut record You Light Me up in the Dark in 2012, which showcases a vast landscape of musical talents. Combining the best elements of ‘90s post hardcore, ‘80s era alternative and a large amount ‘70s vintage rock “coolness”, The Hounds Below have produced a sound that could have been a hit in multiple musical eras. I don’t believe it is fair to constantly compare T.H.B. to Stollsteimer’s ex-band. They are very different beasts, existing in altogether different musical lands. That being said, not long after an introduction to The Hounds Below, one can’t help but predict a similar degree of success right around the corner.
February 3rd The Hounds Below will bring their vintage rock show to Soda Bar San Diego, which the band says will be their first trip out to the West Coast. “We’re excited to hang out with killer whales, surfer beach babes, surfer beach hunks, In-n-Out Burger, and the FREAKING WEATHER,” says Stollsteimer. He continues, “…Of course, we’re most excited to bring our music to the beautiful people of San Diego.”
The Hounds Below will appear at Soda Bar San Diego Monday February 3rd with Grizzly Business and Hocus. Tickets are only $8 and show starts at 8:30. For more information and to buy tickets, please click here. (Will redirect to Soda Bar main website!)
We were excited to ask the band a couple of questions leading up to the show. The interview went great and if you are like us, it just made you even more eager to party with these guys this coming week. Check it out below. TBZ!
———————————————————————————————————————————–
This is the first West Coast trip for The Hounds Below – What are some of the things you look forward to while being in San Diego?
Fish tacos! This will also be the first time the band has been to the ocean together, so we’re definitely looking forward to a few semi erotic scenic photos! Our bass player, Adam Michael Lee Padden, goes by “panda” most days, so he is looking forward to meeting a few of his own at the zoo. We’re excited to hang out with killer whales, surfer beach babes, surfer beach hunks, in-n-out, and the FREAKING WEATHER. It will be like summer to us. Of course, we’re most excited to bring our music to the beautiful people of San Diego. We love playing in front of beautiful people.
You recently released track “Xx” as a sort of “what’s to come” next from The Hounds Below. How can you describe what is coming next for the band in terms of the next record?
It’s best described with a mouth full of food in a lighthearted way. Our sound has evolved a bit over the last few years as we all have, and today we think it reflects our funenergetic-all night loving-charm your parents-good with puppies kind of lifestyles.
Was there a different approach to writing the recently release track and other new material, compared to You Light Me Up In The Dark which was released in 2012?
Weeeeeeeeeee’d………rather not say. Have you heard that story about the guy who got arrested for melting the snow on his driveway with a flamethrower? It’s a lot like that. We got tired of shovels and salt. Got some flame throwers. Simplified the process a bit. Now we’re on tour!
Is the style performed by The Hounds Below a style that you have wanted to play for some time? When did this inspiration take flight?
We actually have this really cool six-dimensional HD music experience we’ve been working on for a while now, but the world is just not ready for that yet, so a typical “night with The Hounds Below” will include some dancing, a funny conversation on a culturally relevant topic, some beer drinking, music playing, sweating, number swapping, and eventually pizza consuming. It’s pretty much a reflection of our day to day lives of the last few years.
What else can we look forward to in the coming future?
We anticipate flying cars within 5 years (we’re from the motor city, we know these things). Dryers that fold your own clothes. People will probably retire their “vintage 90s tshirts” and start wearing futuristic space suit type things. Probably some other cool stuff. Weed will probably be legal in most states too, so that’s pretty exciting.
Not only have you deemed this tour, The Pizza Tour, but you have said in the past that if it weren’t for music all of you in T.H.B. would probably run a pizza food truck. Being a fellow pizza fanatic myself, I wanted to ask you – What’s your perfect slice of pizza?
Jason: pepperoni thin crust.
Adam: deep dish, uhh, a lot of sauce, uhh, cheese, uhh, maybe some…green pepper, and some sausage. I don’t know man.
Will: It’s two in the morning and I’m walking away from a nights show in a new city, and I’m kind of drunk but not like sick or anything. I’m heading to an after party with some new friends and we hop into the local pizza slice drunk hang out place for a quick recharge. I step up to the counter and say hi to the cute pizza girl with flour on her nose.
BUT OH NO- the guy in front of me bought the last pepperoni. That won’t do. All that’s left is some dumb feta and olives pizza. Just when I’m ready to give in, the pizza guy with a mustache comes out with a fresh, hot, perfect pie topped with pineapple, ham, and bacon. I buy the whole thing, give a couple slices to the homeless dudes out front and eat the rest on the way to the party where I woo everyone over with my magic tricks.
Jason: And a side of ranch.
If you could eat pizza from 1 place for the rest of eternity, what would it be and why? What would the toppings be?
A wood fired pizza oven in the grotto of our mansion’s backyard oasis, always in the form of a lunch date with Rachel McAdams. Toppings would be whatever she wants.
Lastly, finish this question… If I did own a pizza truck it would be called…
Pete’s Za Truck (patent pending).
Thanks to The Hounds Below. Check out their website and follow them online (twitter) (facebook) for updates.